Congresswoman is Arrested While Protesting LICH Closure

U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez was arrested on Monday while protesting the planned closure of Long Island College Hospital.

U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and seven other people protesting the closing of Long Island College Hospital were arrested Monday when they blocked traffic at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Hicks Street in Brooklyn.

It is the latest round of civil disobedience in an attempt to bring attention to the financially floundering Cobble Hill hospital owned by SUNY Downstate. In early July, Public Advocate Bill De Blasio, Council Member Stephen Levin and City Councilman Brad Lander have all been arrested as they fight SUNY’s attempts to close the facility.

Kevin Hagen for The Wall Street Journal

Protesters march near Long Island College Hospital on Monday, demanding that the facility stays open.

Cars honked and traffic came to a stop as the protesters took to the streets. About one hundred people chanted, “What’s this about? Patient’s care.”

After about 10 minutes and several orders to leave the street, police led away those who elected to be arrested.

“This is about our children,” said Ms. Velasquez, standing outside LICH with nurses, former patients and community members. “This is about the healthcare needs of an entire community. It’s just not right and we will continue to fight.”

A temporary restraining order has prohibited SUNY from closing the hospital. But SUNY has tried to fight the order, including putting 650 nurses on paid leave nearly two weeks ago. The next court date is Wednesday.

“We deserve better,” Ms. Velasquez said about the expectation that people in areas, such as Red Hook, would have to go to another hospital in an emergency. “We expect better.”

On Monday, Mr. de Blasio, who spoke at the protest, credited the ongoing civil disobedience and weekly protests with keeping LICH open.

“This hospital is still open because we fought,” he said. “People at SUNY are feeling the heat. Don’t for a moment think that all this isn’t adding up to something. The fact that wave after wave of people have come forward to get arrested in civil disobedience, that says something.”

SUNY Downstate Spokesman Robert Bellafiore said LICH’s projected losses this month totals $15 million, calling it a “tremendous drain.” He said he welcomes other buyers to take the facility over, and said the only reason the hospital is still open is because of the court order.